[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MOURNING LOSS OF MAYOR RALPH APPEZZATO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sadness over the loss of Mayor Ralph Appezzato. Ralph was a friend and 
a colleague. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to his wife of 34 years, 
Marilyn, and their three sons, David, Jason and Joshua.
  I always valued Ralph's counsel and his friendship. He will be 
remembered as one of our nation's most effective mayors, particularly 
for his leadership in the award-winning conversion of the former 
Alameda Naval Base to successful civilian uses.
  Like many friends, colleagues and citizens in the Bay Area, I was 
shocked to learn about Ralph's untimely death. With his passing we have 
lost a warrior for social justice and positive change. Ralph was a 
dedicated public servant held in the highest regard.
  Ralph was elected Mayor of the City of Alameda on November 8, 1994, 
and reelected November 3, 1998. He was previously elected to the City 
Council in November, 1992 and was a member of the Alameda City Planning 
Board, twice serving as President.
  Ralph is a graduate of Seton Hall University and went on to receive a 
graduate degree in Education from Villanova University. He is also a 
graduate of the Armed Forces Command and General Staff College.
  Ralph served as a Marine Corps Officer, retiring as a Colonel in 
1983. After leaving the Marine Corps, he was a Vice President at Bank 
of America for seven years and Chief Operating Officer at Volunteers of 
America for four years.
  Ralph's dedication to community issues was reflected in his 
participation on many regional organizations in the San Francisco Bay 
Area, including: the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority; the 
East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission; the Alameda County 
Waste Management Authority; the Alameda County Congestion Management 
Agency; the Alameda County Mayors' Conference; the Alameda County 
Airport Land Use Commission; the Metropolitan Transportation 
Commission; the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development 
Commission; the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority; the 
Federal Department of Transportation Towing Safety Advisory Committee, 
and; the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
  Ralph also served on several Boards of Directors, including: Alameda 
Council, Boy Scouts of America; Alameda Boys and Girls Club; Clara 
Barton Foundation, and; Alameda Meals on Wheels.
  I join his family, the City of Alameda and the Bay Area as we mourn 
the passing of a great American.

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